Victoria Segment Challenge - Season 7 Segment Archives - AboutTheRide.ca - Cycling resources and more for Victoria, British Columbia!

Strava segment snipers rejoice,
the bane of coaches everywhere is back!
/ O P E R A T I O N / S E G M E N T E D / R E A L I T Y /

Below is an archive of each week’s segments, re-live the suffering!

When done, we’ll have a season final report here as well!

And here are all our Weekly Newsletter Archives.

Season 7 Segment Archives

Week #1 – Mar 3rd – 9th – A Little Up And Down

We’re back! Can you believe this is our 3rd year? I’m starting us off fairly easily, shorter segments, one you could even coast the whole way!

Let’s get this party started!

Segment 1A Name: Island View Climb (Towards Beach)
Deets: 1.05km, 33m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Deborah LeBlanc with a 2:01 & KOM is Matthew Ney with a 1:31, LL is Eugene Hahn with 5 efforts.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/9435514

We’re headed out to Island View, I’m sure most have been down this road, if not, continue on down to the beach, it’s a popular spot!

I’m taking it fairly easy to start us off, it’s neither steep nor long, but I’m sure it’ll still sting a little. 😉 That way you know you’re doing it right!

Segment 1B Name: Island View Drop – Keepin’ the gas on
Deets: 1.42km, 34m elevation gain. (This can’t be right, likely -33m!)
This is an existing segment, QOM is Norma Jean with a 1:42 & KOM is Chris MacLeod with a 1:27, LL is Eugene Hahn with 5 efforts.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/9488346

It’s fun throwing in a ‘fast one’ right off the bat! If it was possible, I’d love to do a ‘coasting’ segment, but we can’t track how or where people pedal, so give it a rip, and hope your legspeed is up for it!

Tip: make sure before you start that if a car was ahead of you, you’ve given it enough time to get down the road, there’s a good chance you’ll catch vehicles on the descent, and might actually slow you down!

Suggested Routing

While this is a bit further out of town than I’d prefer to start the series, it’s super easy to get to, just take Lochside!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Extra Tip: Strava for some dumb reason doesn’t let you save Segments as Routes. But here’s a website where you can enter the segment, and download the GPX file so you can ride it as a route: https://www.doogal.co.uk/SegmentExplorer (Thanks Spencer for the tip!!) Also, if you’re ever trying to find out when you rode a specific road, Find That Ride is an amazing website: https://www.findthatride.com/activitymap

Week #2 – Mar 10th – 16th – Ambling Around Amblewood

If you’ve been with the Segment Challenge for a while, you know this is one of my favourite areas! Quiet, wide streets, and lots of fun up and down sections, here’s what’s on the dance card this week:

Segment 2A Name: Woodside-Amblewood 1k
Deets: 1.01km, 56m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 2:44 & KOM is Sam Garber with a 2:14, LL is Logan Kuzyk with 8 efforts.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/7220482

A classic if there ever was one, we’ve done this at least once – just the regular haul up Amblewood, finishing around the corner(s) at the very top. Pace yourself, you’ll want a bit in the tank for the last kicker!

Segment 2B Name: Boulderwood climb – Amblewood to Bearwood (summit)
Deets: 0.52km, 27m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Julie van Veelen with a 1:02 & KOM is Eugene Hahn with a 47s, LL is justin kobbero with 11 efforts.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/6426824

Here’s a new one – we’ve done part of this as a longer climb coming off Lochside, but this time we’re starting right at the beginning of Boulderwood, and carrying along the top for a while.

There’s a slow way and a fast way to get through this segment, hopefully you can figure it out! 😁

Suggested Routing

This is another easy one to get to, you can simply take Lochside to Royal Oak Dr, or stick to the road and go along Emily Carr, which is quite nice as well. If you haven’t been this way, check it out, starts at the Switch Bridge, heads up Lochside, and you turn off at the police station, here’s a route file: https://www.strava.com/routes/3110669815318424748

Bonus Route: Once you’re atop Amblewood, there’s actually a really nice route that stays up high in Broadmead and takes you to Sayward (where you can continue around Elk Lake, or drop down to Martindale or return on Lochside). Check it out: https://www.strava.com/routes/3239642508204530090

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #3 – Mar 17th – 23rd – Two Fast Finishes!

Back to another one of my favourite areas: Granville & Hastings, aka Strawberry Vale. This is a regular detour for me, pretty little area, tho a bit lumpy! Of not familiar, you might start adding this into your rides, it’s also a bit of a shortcut between Interurban and the Goose over by Nest. There are some high speed portions on the segments this week, so do use caution where needed!

Segment 3A Name: Big Dog Charlie
Deets: 2.27km, 7m elevation gain. (Not correct! Probably closer to 50m.)
This is an existing segment, QOM is The Squaremeat with a 3:54 & KOM is Cole Guest with a 3:31, LL is Doug Tuck with 4 efforts.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/9008545

We’ve done a similar segment on Charlton in past seasons, but usually I go with the shorter segment that ends at the top, this time let’s keep it going and finish over at Hastings, which features a speedy finish! Please be extra careful on that right hand turn onto Granville, the road is pretty quiet and you have a good sight line, but it’s easy to pick up a lot of speed there!

Fun fact about this one: Laura aka The Squaremeat attained the QOM whilst kicking my butt on a ride a couple years ago.

Segment 3B Name: Funner than you think
Deets: 1.95km, 43m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Mega Rath with a 3:00 & KOM is Cody Canning with a 2:49, LL is Vegan Dave Shishkoff with 6 efforts.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/37389664

And now we turn around, and do the same thing in the opposite direction! This direction starts fast into a kicker that I’m just not a fan of…but then smooths out, and has a nice swoopy downhill finish. The pacing on this one will be interesting!

Suggested Routing

Another easy one to get to, you can cruise up Interurban off the Goose and turn up Hastings, or if you’re coming in from the West Shore, at Nest turn up Burnside Rd W, and you’ll be on Charlton in a jiffy!

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #3 – Mar 17th – 23rd – Two Fast Finishes!

We’ve done a similar segment on Charlton in past seasons, but usually I go with the shorter version that ends at the top – this time let’s keep it going and finish over at Hastings, which features a speedy finish! Please be extra careful on that right hand turn onto Granville. The road is pretty quiet and you have a good line of sight, but it’s easy to pick up a lot of speed there!

Fun fact about this one: Laura aka The Squaremeat attained the QOM whilst kicking my butt on a ride a couple years ago. 😭

Suggested Routing

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #4 – Mar 24th – 30th – Mill-hilli Vanilli

As promised, we’re back to some proper climbs this week! The first segment is one of my “favourites” that I’ve ever come across – it’s pretty nasty, but also pretty neat with how everything is built up on the street and how you wind your way up. And the illustrious Riley Pickrell is the KOM, can anyone knock him off the throne? The ‘B’ segment was a ‘bonus’ segment last year, and I figure we’ll give it an actual go this week!

Segment 4A Name: Kingsview Ridge Climb
Deets: .79km, 81m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Brianna Brandon with a 3:04 & KOM is Riley Pickrell with a 2:09, LL is Peter Spindloe with 1 effort.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/2488610

I don’t feel like my effort from last year was my best, and paced it improperly, so looking forward to giving it another go! There are a lot of twists, and you wind your way up to the top of this strange little road. The segment ends in a bit of a quirky spot, so be sure to go as ‘high’ as you can to trigger the finish.

Segment 4B Name: I Dream of Jeanine-y
Deets: 1.23km, 66m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Tania Johnson with a 5:04 & KOM is Quinton Disera with a 2:46, LL is no one!
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/36364890

This one starts a bit fast, and nothing too wild as you come around the corner, but once you start going up, you’re going to be on the pedals until the top! There’s some overlap with the ‘A’ segment as well. Please be extra careful making that right-hand turn off Jeanine onto Langvista, it’s one of the few right handers we do, but you should have a pretty good line-of-sight up and down the road for traffic. Once you’re around the corner, it’s pretty much just a grind to the top – so don’t burn up before you get there!!

Suggested Routing

If you’re coming from town, head out on the Goose, and take the E&N ‘exit’ at Atkins, and then also take the ‘underpass’ on the right that takes you onto Westwind. When you hit Atkins again, go straight across onto Selwyn and it takes you right to Mill Hill Rd. Here’s the routing: https://www.strava.com/routes/3087833649478845962

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #5 – Mar 31st – Apr 6th – Conned into climbing Conway!

We’re over halfway throughout the season!! It’s time to start bringing in some tougher segments, and I’ve been putting off Conway for some time now, but this week it’s go time! And in keeping with the theme of the season, another segment with a fast finish!

Segment 5A Name: “To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.”
Deets: 0.57km, 34m elevation gain.
This is a new segment, QOM is k kit with a 2:32 & KOM is Colin Daniels with a 2:03, and there is no LL.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/38831954

I think most have done Conway, one way or the other. This way is definitely the toughest. Two steep kicks, but it doesn’t end there, as this week you get to make a right and continue up Stratford where it continues to ascend (tho not as steep.) It’s only been ridden by 26 people (and 36 attempts) thus far, and I predict we’ll see new a new QOM and KOM this week.

Segment 5B Name: Logan to Liberto – let’s put a little mustard on it
Deets: 1.66km, 12m elevation gain.
This is a new segment, QOM is Mega Rath with a 2:27 & KOM is Parker Bloom with a 2:09, and there is no LL.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/38832027

While we’re in the neighbourhood, let’s enjoy the road that is Hector! I wanted to begin this segment up by Stratford, but that twist at the end of Conway is a bit dangerous, so opted to start it at Logan Park, and end it at Liberto (before the steep descent) for safety. This should still be a pretty fast segment, and will be interesting to see if the top times can be beat!

Suggested Routing

Not too much to getting to the segments this week, it’s just off Interurban across from Camosun College. But hopefully you enjoy the fun detour that is Conway/Hector, I’ll pop around there on the way back into town if I want to tag on a few more minutes.

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #6 – Apr 7th – 13th – Doangle, or Donotangle, there is no Triangle.

We’re starting to get to the pointy end of the season, so it’s time to go with some more pointy-ended segments! This week we’re headed over to Triangle Mountain, revisiting the infamous Walfred, as well as Fulton on the other side. Two grunts for the price of one!

Segment 6A Name: Worrall Drive Climb
Deets: 0.70km, 83m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Melanie McQuaid with a 2:40 & KOM is andrew ference with a 2:01, and the LL is Jonathan Crockford.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/4023131

We’ve been out to Walfred a number of times over Segment Challenge seasons, as well as the previous KOMpetitions! This time we’re using just the final climb to the top, and it’s a bit of a doozy! Especially since there’s a pretty tough climb just to get to this spot.

Segment 6B Name: Fulton Rd Climb STEEP
Deets: 0.85km, 102m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Holly Henry with a 3:577 & KOM is Dior Psg with a 2:31, and LL is Ian Searle.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/21035486

Fulton is full-on – over 100m climbing over 850m, owwie! This one is all about pacing, and do NOT go out too hard!! We were last on Fulton in 2021, and might hold off going back until 2030. 😂

The KOM looks pretty suss…three riders with exactly the same time, and 30sec faster than Cole Rodney who held 514w for 3min….and for all three their ride were only on this segment. 🤔

Suggested Routing

This isn’t the most pleasant area of town to get to, if you’re good with loose surface, you can take the Goose to Happy Valley road. Or similar to last week you can take the E&N ‘exit’ at Atkins, and then also take the ‘underpass’ on the right that takes you onto Westwind. When you hit Atkins again, go straight across onto Selwyn, cross the light at the end there, and there are some more wiggles and pathways to get you over to Happy Valley this way: https://www.strava.com/routes/3107750435997229492

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #7 – Apr 14th – 20th – Reach for the Stars..or Likely Seeing Stars!

It’s the penultimate week for the Spring Segment Challenge, and we’re headed back to the West Shore, over near the Jordie Lunn park. First up is a ‘brand new’ climb, up a new road into a new subdivision. Sometimes the urban sprawl has an upside. And we’ll also hit Humpback Rd, which is a beatiful area!

Segment 7A Name: Push to the water (tower)
Deets: 0.88km, 66m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Shelley Donovan with a 4:34 & KOM is Adam Wadden 🇨🇦 🐺 with a 2:41, and the LL is Landon Benson.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/34820844

This is fun – fresh tarmac and a sparse leaderboard; a total of 7 in the group have been up Constellation…and where’s segment KOM Adam W been? Maybe this will get him back to riding some segments, someone hurry up and send him a notification stealing his KOM. 😉 It’s actually a pretty nice climb, not steep and you should be able to pace it well.

Segment 7B Name: Humpback Reservoir Climb
Deets: 0.79km, 60m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Mega Rath with a 2:25 & KOM is Rob Britton with a 1:50, and LL is Erik Deferme.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/1172905

Down and around the corner from 7A is Humpback Road, and it’s about time we hit it! Would be fun to run the length of it, but it’s a bit sketchy in spots, so we’ll focus on the actual hump! I don’t think the elevation profile on the segment is quite right..it’s relatively smooth but has a solid grunt in it near the end, so don’t go out too hard!

Suggested Routing

Another one that doesn’t have the most pleasant route to get to, but you can once again use the routing that goes along Selwyn, except when you hit the Langford Parkway, just continue straight up the hill and around the round-about, and you’re right there! https://www.strava.com/routes/3107750435997229492

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Week #8 – Apr 21st – Apr 27th – We Are All Made Of Star(dancer)s!

This is our final week of segments for the Spring Segment Challenge!! We head out to the West Shore one final time for a short, snappy KOMp rematch, and a brand new twisty time-trial-style segment out on Pear Mountain. (Okay, made up that name!) Note that in the past we’d often run the final segments two weeks, but emphasizing this will be one week only, as the hill climb series starts next week!

Segment 8A Name: ALBERTS HEAD
Deets: .61km, 38m elevation gain.
This is an existing segment, QOM is Mega Rath with a 1:16 & KOM is Samuel Hogman with a 0:57, and the LL is Mandy Singh.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/4509127

Check out the dates on the current results of this one, pretty much exactly 4yrs ago! That was during the KOMpetition, and both Dan B and Justin also hit them that week from our current riders. So not a rematch for most people..but it’s a fun and punchy climb that carries a surprising amount of speed!

Segment 8B Name: The Sundancer TT – Dancing on the pedals to the top of Pear Mtn
Deets: 2.76km, 88m elevation gain.
This is a new segment, QOM is none! & KOM is Vegan Dave Shishkoff with a 7:26, and LL is none.
Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/38894982

Everyone’s ridden past Glen Forest Way and Pears, and many have crossed this little cut-through, but there are some fun side-roads in that area as well.

This twisty TT-style segment starts up Glen Forest, and you go right although remains on that road (where it technically turns into Pears). There’s a little break with a descent, then climb back up to the end of the other split in the road, and back out and up to the tippy-top of Pears. It looks a little complicated, but it’s not that bad once you’re riding it. Do be careful on the descent as always, but it’s a pretty quiet road.

I’m a bit surprised 10 people have actually ridden this before (I kicked Rob’s butt too!😂), but I’m sure the top times will change hands a few times during the week, and there’s currently no QOM at all, so it’s there to be claimed!

Suggested Routing

I’ve been a bit of a broken record with the routing, but once again I’d suggest using my ‘wiggle’ that avoids Goldstream and spits you out on Happy Valley Rd, and then cruise Happy Valley to Glen Forest. If you’re good with Goose gravel, it literally crosses the road too so you can take it all the way out. Or you can roll down to the Lagoon off the Goose, but you get an extra hill as part of your warm-up that way (and I prefer coming back that way!) https://www.strava.com/routes/3107750435997229492

Happy riding!! 🚵‍♀️

Thanks to our supporters!

A massive thank-you to the following businesses for contributing to our draw prizes!

Boring Stuff

Scoring

Scoring is geared towards rewarding the consistent!

For each segment completed, points will be awarded this way for the A, B & C fields:

1st – 50pts
2nd – 47pts
3rd – 45pts
4th – 43pts
5th – 41pts
6th – 40pts (and one point spread beyond 6th, to 30pts, which all below this will receive.)

Bonus Points

There are a few opportunities to score extra points! Since these are awarded to ‘one’ person each week, the rider may be Open or Female, A, B or C. Some are random, some you can actually go for.

New QOM/KOM – if a new QOM or KOM is set on the segment, that rider gets an extra 5pts.
Time Bonus – a time will be secretly pre-selected for each segment, any who happen to ride that exact time will be awarded 5pts.
The Early Bird – the earliest locked-in effort for each segment will get 5pts. (Eg: someone might preview the segment on Monday, and be the ‘first’, but if they ride it again and their final result tops that one, then the second is what counts – sorry, I just don’t want to have to refresh the segment pages constantly! 😉
The Socialite – tag @AboutTheRideCA on Twitter, FB or IG in a post relating to the competition, and my favourite post each week will get 5pts.
Bonus Segments – some weeks there may be a bonus challenge, it won’t be scored like the others, but a declared number of points will be awarded to all who simply complete that segment.

Curses

But it’s not all roses – there are also a few ways to lose points each segment!

Yellow Jersey Curse – if a rider in the competition holds the QOM/KOM at the start, and they fail to defend it, they lose 5pts.
Try-Hard Penalty – if a rider becomes the Local Legend during the week of the segment, they lose 5pts. (If they go into it already as the LL, then this will be ignored.)

There’s a few surprises to keep you on your toes! (Also note that in fairness Dave the organizer will be omitted from winning any bonuses, but can collect the curses!)

Help Get Word Out!

Ain’t this more fun with more people? Help get word out! Follow our social channels, and share posts, mention what you’re doing on your Strava rides, invite friends to sign up and join you, get your clubs and bike shops to get word out!

Anything Confusing?

Fire over a note on the contact page if you’ve got any questions, ideas, suggestions, etc!

Chip In & Get Tips Back!

I’m organizing this as a labour of love, but it does take up quite a bit of time! If you’d like to chip in a few dollars, you can send an e-transfer to dave at abouttheride.ca – as a thank-you I’ll add you to a secret email list with tips for getting the fastest time on each segment – like here’s my blog post covering the basics for getting PRs. =)

Good luck and have fun!

Newsletter & Email Updates

Sign up to the right for our periodic updates about clinics, events, and other notable activities! (Probably just a few emails a year, and you can unsubscribe with a click any time!)